Bush Search and Rescue Victoria
Volunteer search and rescue in Victorian bush and alpine regions
Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Kel Glare awarded the FVWC Search and Rescue Section (now Bush Search and Rescue) a Chief Commissioner’s Certificate at a ceremony in 1989.
This was the first time this Certificate had been awarded to a non Police group.
Continue reading “Chief Commissioner’s Certificate 1989”
Last Updated on February 17, 2021
On Sunday 9/8/2004Â Falls Creek Police Station rang to seek assistance from Birkebeiner Nordic Ski Club Search and Rescue group, a part of BSAR.
Three people on the summit of Mt Bogong had contacted emergency services by mobile phone requesting urgent assistance. They were all very cold and one was suffering severely from hypothermia. They had dug snow holes near Eskdale Point with blizzard conditions prevailing.
Five members from B.N.S.C. plus a ski patroller from Mt Hotham responded to the call out and met at Mt Beauty Police station.
Continue reading “Search and Rescue for three people on Mount Bogong, 9 August 2004”
Last Updated on January 31, 2023
Members of the Birkebeiners Nordic Ski Club received a group citation in the 2005 National Bravery Awards for their contributions to the search and rescue of three men in blizzard conditions on Mt Bogong in August 2004.
The recipients were Jim Gargan, Paul Grusovin, Rob Borland, Jarrod Paine and David Panozzo, together with Gordon Guest-Smith from the Mount Hotham Ski Patrol.
Continue reading “2005 National Bravery Award to members of the Birkebeiner Ski Club”
Last Updated on February 17, 2021
John Retchford joined Bush Search and Rescue Victoria and attended his first search in 1961. During the subsequent forty-five years he made substantial and significant contributions in many aspects of Bush Search and Rescue’s field and administrative operations.
John attended many searches and became a Group Leader.
John was a Field Organiser for twenty-eight years from March 1973 until March 2001, during which time he lead Bush Search and Rescue members on 17 searches.
Continue reading “John Retchford”
Last Updated on February 2, 2023
Stuart Brookes is a keen bushwalker who has contributed much to recreational bushwalking, including long service with Bush Search and Rescue, in Victoria.
Stuart has produced maps of Victoria’s Alpine Area and other popular bushwalking destinations from the late 1940s to the current day.  These maps are regularly updated and provide reliable and detailed information tailored to the needs of bushwalkers.
Stuart was director of Initial Training with the Bushwalking and Mountaincraft Leadership course from 1973 – 77 and chairman of the Bushwalking and Mountaincraft Training Advisory Board 1982 – 85.
Continue reading “Stuart Brookes OAM”
Last Updated on February 2, 2023
Rik Head, a long serving Bush Search and Rescue member and Field Organiser, was awarded the Emergency Service Medal for a lifetime commitment to search, rescue and safety in the bush and mountains on Australia Day, 26 January 2011.
As a Field Organiser in Bush Search and Rescue Victoria, Rik has been instrumental in implementing and improving many search, management and training methods and systems including the innovative use of technology.
Continue reading “Rik Head awarded Emergency Services Medal”
Last Updated on February 2, 2023